DFA prepared for diplomatic action vs. alleged swarming in WPS

THE DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is prepared for diplomatic action once it receives a verified report on the alleged swarming of Chinese vessels near Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

"What I know is DFA is awaiting official reports and will take appropriate diplomatic action once violations have been verified," DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said in a text message late Tuesday.

A recent news report quoted Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos confirming that dozens of Chinese vessels have been moving much closer to Palawan since early this year.

To date, the Philippine government has filed a total of 193 notes verbales, 65 of which were lodged under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

The most recent one was issued by the DFA on December 12, protesting the Chinese Coast Guards' seizure of debris picked up by the Philippine Navy off Pag-asa Island.

On Tuesday, China had engaged the United States in a word war, accusing it of meddling in the South China Sea disputes after it backed Manila in expressing alarm over the "escalated swarms" of Chinese vessels.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila said the statement made by US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price "contains unfounded accusations against China that attempt to stir up troubles and drive a wedge between China and the Philippines" but it did not specifically comment on nor denied the reported swarming.

It said China and the Philippines had already agreed to place the maritime row "at a proper place in the bilateral relations" and manage them through consultation and dialogue.

"The US keeps meddling in the South China Sea disputes and trying to drive wedges between countries in the region, creating tensions and harming regional peace and stability. What the US has done is not to help anyone but to serve its own geopolitical interests," it said.

"We urge the US to stop using the South China Sea issue to stir up troubles, sow discord between China and the Philippines and undermine stability in the South China Sea."

China claims most of the South China Sea under its so-called nine-dash line, which also overlaps with the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

In 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration handed down a ruling based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea invalidating the invisible demarcation, which China disregards up to this date. (Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)